Clear IAS Mains High Value Answer Writing: Test Series -20

This is question set #20 of ‘Clear IAS Mains High Value Answer Writing Test Series’. Mains High Value Answer Writing is a UPSC mains oriented program from ClearIAS.com that consists of 5 questions in each post, published around 8 pm every day. Each of the 5 questions are selected from 5 papers mentioned in UPSC Mains syllabus namely Essay, GS1, GS2, GS3 and GS4 (ethics). Selected questions of high probability to be asked UPSC mains are included in each of these mini tests. Aspirants can choose any question they wish to answer in the comment space provided below, specifying the question number and question topic.

Questions for Answer Writing – Selections for today:

GS 1 Paper: [Indian Society/Urbanisation] – “The soul of India lives in its villages”, declared M. K. Gandhi at the beginning of 20th century. Analyse how true is this statement in the present context by evaluating the urbanization trend in India . (200 words)

GS 2 Paper: [Constitution/India-US] – Though both India and US are federal democracies there are differences between them. Compare Indian constitution with US constitution and find the similarities and differences. (200 words)

GS 3 Paper: [Indian Economy] – Agricultural markets in most parts of the country are regulated under the state APMC Acts. Write a short note on APMCs and list out the reform measures. (200 words)

GS 4 Paper: [Ethics] Analyze if the public services values like impartiality and non-partisanship gets affected if judges of supreme court or high court takes up positions in executive after retirement. (200 words)

Rules and Regulations: Clear IAS Mains High Value Answer Writing

Clear IAS Mains High Value Answer Writing is a free program from ClearIAS.com. Any UPSC aspirant, interested to polish his/her writing skills or to learn the art of writing high value answers to boost the score in UPSC Civil Services Mains can participate in it. The official team from ClearIAS.com may review selected answers, and guide aspirants to improve the answer structure. Fellow aspirants, experienced candidates or toppers can also comment and suggest improvements for each of the answers. The platform is free and open to public with a view of better sharing and learning. You can read more about the Clear IAS Mains High Value Answer Writing Test Series objectives and rules in the hyperlink.

PS: Aspirants can select any question they wish to answer in the comment space provided below specifying the question. Answering 3-4 questions, does not take much of your time. But for those who engage regularly in answer writing, the resultant score improvement in actual UPSC exam would be exponential.

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GS 2 Paper: [Constitution/India-US] – Though both India and US are federal democracies there are differences between them. Compare Indian constitution with US constitution and find the similarities and differences. (200 words)
The similarities between Indian and US constitution are:
– Written constitution
-Federal (India – Federal with unitary bias)
-Supremacy of constitution
-Republic
-Fundamental Rights
-Removal of SC and HC judges
-President is supreme commander of armed forces
-Independence of judiciary and judicial review

The differences between Indian and US constitution are:
India
-More flexible than rigid constitution
-Single citizenship
-No clear separation of powers
-Parliamentary democracy
-Indirect election of President
-Prime minister elected by lower house of parliament
-Asymmetric bicameralism; lower house popularly elected, upper house chosen from states
-Supreme Court with judicial review
-Single-member plurality for lower house; proportional representation for upper house
-Multiparty system
-Procedure established by law
-Lower house can be dissolved on recommendation of PM

USA
-Rigid constitution
-Dual citizenship
-Separation of power is clear
-Presidential democracy
-Direct election of President
-President elected by electoral college which is allocated according to popular vote
-Symmetric bicameralism;both houses popularly elected
-Supreme Court and other federal courts have judicial review
-Single-member plurality
-Two party system
-Due process of law
-The President cannot dissolve the lower house – the house of representatives

GS 3 Paper: [Indian Economy] – Agricultural markets in most parts of the country are regulated under the state APMC Acts. Write a short note on APMCs and list out the reform measures. (200 words)

The Agricultural produce market committee is a marketing board established by state governments of India. APMC acts run on two principles – To ensure that intermediaries do not compel farmers to sell their produce at throwaway prices and that all food produce should first be brought to the market yard and then sold through auction. According to the provisions of the APMC Acts of the states, every APMC is authorized to collect market fees from the buyers/traders in the prescribed manner on the sale of the notified agricultural produce. The problem to get license, corruption and vulnerability of farmers to traders and marketing agents price manipulations are some of the problems related to APMC.

The major reform measures are as follows: –
1.States are required to amend the APMC Act on the line of Model Act
2.Provide Choice of Multiple and Competitive Market Channels to farmers
3.Independent Regulatory Authority needed to encourage the private investors. A regulator from Government who should not draw salary from Mandi Board may be appointed
4.Simple and smooth license/registration of traders in Mandi
5.Need for Viability Gap Funding to attract private sector investment
6.Agricultural Markets may be treated as infrastructure project so as to invite FDI in addition to other Tax exemptions
7.Investment in marketing infrastructure under RKVY be increased
8.Market fee/cess and Commission Charges should not be too high
9.Under direct marketing, if entrepreneurs provide minimum infrastructure facility and backward linkages to the farmers, market fee should be waived off;
10.Independent district level authority may be set up for registration and dispute settlement in contract farming
11.Member States should take initiatives to remove physical barriers like check gates etc. for smooth movement of agri-produce
12.Stock limits to be governed

Creating competitive channels through APMC will definitely help in fighting the inflationary pressure.

4.GS 3 Paper: [Indian Economy] – Agricultural markets in most parts of the country are regulated under the state APMC Acts. Write a short note on APMCs and list out the reform measures. (200 words

Answer:
APMC, a single point market fee system by stater government body is established to regulate agrilcultural markets in India. According to the provision of the APMC acts ofthe states, this system is responsible to collect market fees from the buyer and seller in agriculture market. Some leading states where this act is implemented are Maharastra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.

APMC acts at starting:

a) The whole geographical area is divided in the state and declared as a market area
b) Auction is held for farmer to sell their products
c) It is prohibited for trader to buy directly
from farmer

Problems:

a) Regular election of APMC is not held
b) Delay in payment to farmers
c) No sale slip to famer to avoid tax/cess
d) Commision taken by middleman both from buyer and seller

After the reform, the changes came in APMC act are:

a) No strict rule for farmer to sell their produce through existing market administered by APMC. Farmer can sell to anyone they want without informing to APMC.
b) Prohibition of commision taken by middleman
c) Establishment of state Agricuture Produce Marketing Standard Bureau for promoting grading, standardization and quality certification of agriculture produce
d) APMC is responsible for:
i) ensuring complete transperancy in pricing system and transaction taking place in market area
ii) providing market-led extension services to farmers
iii) ensuring paayement for agricultural produce sold by farmers on the same day
iv) promoting agricultural processing including activities for value addition in agricultural produce
v) publicizing data on arrivals and rates of agricultural produce brought into the market area for sale
vi) setup and promote public private partnership in the management of agricultural markets

“The soul of India lives in its villages”, declared M. K. Gandhi at the beginning of 20th century. Analyse how true is this statement in the present context by evaluating the urbanization trend in India . (200 words)
Ans.
The statement can be understood in the context that Indian values and traditions are rooted deeply in rural areas. Today however, we see a very positive change; villages are getting rid of traditional burdens like blind-faith and gender bias while upholding the traditions like empathy and respect. Furthermore, in urban areas, traditional values have gained ground, apparent from rising popularity of ethnic wear to cultural celebrations.
The urban population in India has increased from 11% in 1901 to 28% in 2001 and is only accelerating. But, if we observe the minute trends one can conclude that the soul of India is evolving and still rooted in the villages-
1) Close to 50% of people still involved in agriculture as primary occupation.
2) A large number of migrants eventually return to the villages.
3) Urban populace have strong roots and relations still with the villages.
4) Villages are modernising and urban amenities, though slowly, are penetrating.
5) With education the gap between villages and cities is decreasing and flow of people both ways has increased.
Thus urbanisation offers a greater opportunity for betterment of people’s lives while strengthening Indian cultural values, it’s soul.

Though both India and US are federal democracies there are differences between them. Compare Indian constitution with US constitution and find the similarities and differences.
Ans.
USA was formed as an agreement between states to form a united nation while in India a nation decided to create state for administrative and other local reasons. The differences thus emerge in the administrative structure of the units and the nation as a whole.
i) branches of government
1) Judiciary-
-USA has separate federal and union courts, India has a single integrated hierarchy of courts.
2) Executive-
– (presidential system) In USA President is head of the state and the head of government there is no Prime minister.
– (prime ministerial system) In India President is the head of the state but it’s the prime minister who is the head of government.
3) Legislative-
– President is not a member of legislative in USA, while in India he is.
– In USA, states have equal representative in Senate. India it is based on population in Rajya sabha.
ii) Centre and state relations
1) There is a common constitution in India. In usa there are two constitution one for state and one for federation.
2) India is a union of changeable states i.e. the centre can alter states without their consent. USA is a union of indestructible states.
3) Indian central government has residual powers while in USA states have residual powers.
4) States can secede from union while in USA it is possible.
iii) Citizenship and constitutional amendment.
1) India offers only single citizenship while in USA dual citizenship, one for state and other for nation is provided.
2) Indian constitution can be amended by parliament with special majority (and consent of half of states in some). USA needs a referendum to amend the constitution.
3) USA constitution doesn’t have fundamental duties or directive principles of state policies like India does.

Similarities-
1) Both are federal democracies.
2) President is head of state and armed forces. Vice president is head of Rajya sabha/senate.
3) Independence of judiciary. Impeachment of Judges.
4) Presence of written constitution with fundamental rights of citizens.
5) Rule of law.

GS 1 Paper: [Indian Society/Urbanisation] – “The soul of India lives in its villages”, declared M. K. Gandhi at the beginning of 20th century. Analyse how true is this statement in the present context by evaluating the urbanization trend in India . (200 words)
Ans. India with still around 70% population living in rural areas an agrarian country. However with over 500 towns and 380 urban agglomerations existing in the country the urbanization is happening faster than ever in the last two decades. The projection also shows an increasing trend of urbanization. The following has contributed to urbanization-
1. Migration from rural to urban areas in search of job
2. Globalization and growth of Service Sector
3. Pace of growth is slow in rural areas
4. Inadequate Medical,Educational facilities in rural areas
5. Growth of Satelite towns and trickle down effects of growth centres/poles
6. Lack of infrastructure in villages
7. Decrease in farming activities, farmers’ suicide etc.

However the recent government schemes has had impact on the urbanization. While schemes like PURA and PMGSY has provide infrastructure in rural areas and DIGITAL INDIA has furthered the same. The JNURM has also renewed facilities in existing urban areas. The MNREGA has not only provided job opportunities but has also increased asset creation in rural areas. The “Make in India”, 100 “Smart Cities” concept all this are going to increase the trend of urbanization, but that is unavoidable.
“The soul of India lives in its villages” is relevant in the present scenario because majority is still living in villages preserving their customs,tradition engaged in environment friendly activities, whereas the urban areas are having global character and adverse impact on environment.

GS 4 Paper: [Ethics] Analyze if the public services values like impartiality and non-partisanship gets affected if judges of supreme court or high court takes up positions in executive after retirement. (200 words)
Ans. The judges of Supreme Court(SC) and High Court (HC) taking up positions in executive after retirement is very common in India. In the last 10 years of 50 retired Judges 42 have taken executive positions like Head of Tribunals, Arbitration Committee, Executive committees. The impartiality and non-partisanship being questioned on the basis of such appointments are not fully justified because-
1. Most of the executive positions to which they are appointed, also require person with proven Legal expertise and impartial track record. Therefore they are best suitable person for such positions.
2. Huge backlog of pending cases callas for Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms and which are also meant to uphold basic features of judiciary like Principle of natural Justice etc. and therefore these judges are best options.
3. Questioning their impartiality is not substantiated properly as all their verdicts are based on fact and evidences and any partiality will be questioned at all judicial steps.
4. The constitution provide enough mechanisms for independence of judiciary.
5. With higher life expectancy among judges (due to their life style and medical facilities) and vast experience, the retired judges are asset to the nation and their executive appointment is also strengthening democracy.

Their executive appointment is within constitutional provisions however there is no bar on them in taking up consultancies in Private companies. When their decisions are subject to strict public scrutiny, judicial review by higher courts it is unwise to question their impartiality and non-partisanship.

GS 2 Paper: [Constitution/India-US] – Though both India and US are federal democracies there are differences between them. Compare Indian constitution with US constitution and find the similarities and differences. (200 words)

Ans : similarities are –
1 both are federal
2 both are written constitutions
3 both have fundamental rights for its citizens
4 supremacy of constitution is followed in both
5 both are republic

differences are –

US CONSTITUTION

Rigid
Purely federal
Presidential democracy
President is executive head and directly elected
Dual citizenship
Federation with an agreement of states
States can separate from federation
2 Representatives from each state to senate
States have residuary powers
Due process of law followed
SC no appellate jurisdiction
States are sovereign
Referendum required for amendment in the constitution

INDIAN CONSTITUTION

Both rigid and flexible
Federal with unitary bias
Parliamentary democracy
Ceremonial head and indirectly elected
Single citizenship
No such agreement
States cannot separate from federation
Propotional to population
Centre has residuary powers
Procedure established by law followed
SC has it
States not sovereign
no such thing required

Agricultural markets in most parts of the country are regulated under the state APMC Acts. Write a short note on APMCs and list out the reform measures.
Ans
Agriculture produce market committee was setup in 1970s by GOI to protect the farmers against exploitation and being forced to sell the produce at throw away prices.
Definition- implementation- shortcoming- model apmc- current status.
Under the APMC act, states are divided into different sections that are administered by individual committees. Once an area is declared to be under APMC, stops are put on wholesalers and farm produces can be procured only from authorised Mandis, by licence holders.
Overtime, it has developed following shortcomings-
– Elections to APMC are not held regularly.
– Licences are hard to procure and leads to monopolisation.
– Farmers are charged commissions by a large number of intermediaries (loading and unloading of produce)
– While cereals are protected under Minimum support prices, APMCs trade mostly in crops not under purview of MSP.
Because of these, Union agriculture ministry in 2003 introduced the model APMC and asked states to accept it (agriculture being in state list). Below are its highlights-
– Farmers do not need to bring produce to mandi.
– Retailers, rating agencies, packers can buy directly from the farmer.
– All commissions are disallowed.
– APMCs made more responsible; immediate payment of produce, promote value addition, promote transparency.
17 states have amended APMC act in line with model APMC while Bihar in 2006 scrapped apmc altogether. Recently government exempted fruits and vegetables from APMC act to cut food inflation and check hoarding.

GS 1 Paper [Indian Society/Urbanisation] – “The soul of India lives in its villages”, declared M. K. Gandhi at the beginning of 20th century. Analyse how true is this statement in the present context by evaluating the urbanization trend in India . (200 words)
India is a land of farmers. In the beginning of 20th century most of the Indians reside in village and India at that time was largely agrarian and even at the time of independence 80% of the population was engaged in agriculture.
• As per census 2011, 69% Indians are still living in village. The villages are a vital part our society.
• They not only provide basic industrial input as their prime occupation is agriculture but also create demand for industrial products more than urban do.
• With introduction of various plans and schemes like MNREGA, RURBAN MISSION, Indra Awas Yojana, Self Employment programmes etc., the importance of village is not going to be affected in forth coming future. Also various report justifies it.
On the other side the villagers have their own issue:
• NRHM, ASHA Health workers and various health programmes are being operated but lack of modern hospital and doctor
• Lack of proper hygiene, sanitation and education.
• Villages have still not got 100% telecom linkage and broadband connection as envisaged in Bharat Nirman Project.
So, the need of time is proper governance and a sustainable development with least leakage and most linkage with the mainstream.

GS 3 Paper: [Indian Economy] – Agricultural markets in most parts of the country are regulated under the state APMC Acts. Write a short note on APMCs and list out the reform measures. (200 words)
APMC Act
• Agriculture Produce marketing Act
• To regulate Indian Agriculture markets
• It ensures that farmers get proper remuneration of their crops.
• Auction is held for farmer to sell their products and thus traders are prohibited to buy directly.
• According to the provisions of the APMC Acts of the states, every APMC is authorized to collect market fees from the buyers/TRADERS in the prescribed manner on the sale of the notified agricultural produce.

Problems and their reform measures:
• Previously farmers can’t sell their products directly in the market but now the rule is liberalized.
• Prohibition of brokerage and their commission.
• Establishment of state Agriculture Produce marketing Standard Bureau for promoting grading, standardization and quality certification of agriculture products.
• Simple and smooth license/registration of traders in Mandi.

But since agriculture comes under state list and thus are not obligatory to them. They can amend the APMC act as per their situation and need.

GS 1 Paper: [Indian Society/Urbanisation] – “The soul of India lives in its villages”, declared M. K. Gandhi at the beginning of 20th century. Analyse how true is this statement in the present context by evaluating the urbanization trend in India . (200 words)

Answer
The trend of urbanization is slowly picking up pace in India in search of employment opportunities,improved standard of living and better prospects for future but still 70% of the population resides in villages and 60% of the population of India continues to depend on agriculture as their primary source of income.
Agriculture dependent population is the demand generator for manufactured products ths driving the growth rate of economy to higher levels.Farmers also ensure the food security of the nation by increasing the production of crops in proportion to the increase in population and surplus is exported to enhance foreign currency reserves.Practice of traditional culture values,festivals by rural people.Involvement of people in governance through decentralization of power to panchayati Raj (PRIs) and creation of infrastructure in rural areas at par with the urban centers further reinforces the point that the soul of India lives in its villages at present times but in future,the attraction towards materialistic things will pull the rural people towards urban smart cities.

GS 3 Paper: [Indian Economy] – Agricultural markets in most parts of the country are regulated under the state APMC Acts. Write a short note on APMCs and list out the reform measures. (200 words)

Ans. APMCs are constituted in states based on Model APMC as per APMC Act 2003 of the Central Government however hardly 16 states have changed their respective APMC Act and rest all are operating under their APMC formed in 1950s. Ideally the APMCs are meant to (a) prevent exploitation of farmers from selling their produces at throw away prices under pressure from middle men and (b) all produce are brought to market yards of selling. The APMC has failed to deliver both for farmer or for the consumers, which is evident by food inflation even during peak supply time. The reforms needed in APMC are followings-
1. Uniform application of APMC Act 2003 by all the states.
2. Democratic Election of APMC and there should not be any abnormal condition for standing for election
3. Licensing system in APMC should be abolished completely.
4. No. of cold storage units under APMC be increased.
5. Hoarding by APMC middlemen be prevented.
6. E-Auciton be conducted at Mandis or even at farms
7. Food Processing Firms be allowed to enter into contract farming with the farmers.
8. Digital India Mission and Kisan TV be utilized for informing the farmers about the market dynamics.
9. APMCs be set up in such a way that without any middleman, farmer bring their produce to Mandi, if required store in Mandi’s cold storage @nominal rent paid from common fund of the APMC.
10. Payments for produce be given to the farmers same day otherwise penal charges be levied by middlemen/agents or their licences be cancelled.
11. No additional tax/cess be levied on the farmers.
12. APMC must ensure sell of bought items at the earliest and online records of buying and selling be maintained on the website/Kiosk/E-Chaupal/CSC etc.